Maps have always been central to Peter Dykhuis’ work, whether as encaustic representations of weather system read-outs, or maps superimposed upon the envelopes addressed to him over the years. For Dykhuis, maps serve as a metaphor for his studio and exhibition practices. While acting as political and social signifiers, maps also represent spatial and economic concerns. Dykhuis says, my mapping interests begin with questions of political boundaries, but end with mapping the micro-narratives of my banal, dumb life...which is where the fun begins and my ‘here’ is located.

Nov.2809:55z is one in a series of Radar Paintings (1999-2003) which explore landscape mapping in the digital age. In this series, Dykhuis uses downloaded radar images taken at the Halifax International Airport weather station to construct his multi-panel encaustic compositions. The title of each piece is the date and time of the chosen image displaying hourly precipitation patterns. The use of modular panels speaks to a conceptual gridding of information, and enhances the portability and variability of the work. Through the Radar Paintings, Dykhuis comments subtly on the menacing nature of an anonymous, scrutinizing gaze pointed back at us from all directions, including space, in the form of satellite systems and radar.

Nov.2809:55z was included in the MSVU Art Gallery exhibition Visions & Other Phenomena (2002). Other works by Dykhuis held in the Mount Saint Vincent University collection are datapainting. 4 (2004), datapainting. 6 (2004) and World Views 6/25 (2004).

Peter Dykhuis was born in London, Ontario. He graduated in 1978 with a BFA from Calvin College, Michigan. Dykhuis has exhibited throughout North America, as well as Tokyo, Japan and Sydney, Australia. In 2007, Saint Mary’s University Art Gallery, Halifax, mounted the touring mid-career overview exhibition, You Are Here. Based in Halifax since 1991, the artist has developed a parallel career as a curator, critical writer and arts administrator. Dykhuis held the position of Director of NSCAD University’s Anna Leonowens Gallery, and is presently the Director/Curator of the Dalhousie Art Gallery at Dalhousie University.